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The DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES and the MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF JAPAN (hereinafter referred to as the "Participants" and individually referred to as "Participant"),

DESIRING to further develop and strengthen bilateral relations by promoting and increasing defense cooperation and exchanges;

RECALLING that the Philippines and Japan share many common interests in international defense and security;

ACKNOWLEDGING the mutual benefits to be derived from mutual cooperation in defense;

CONSIDERING that the enhancement of the defense relationship between the Participants will be instrumental in promoting mutual understanding and trust, as well as in contributing to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond;

RENEWING the will to further strengthen the bilateral defense relationship between the Participants,

have decided to make this Memorandum:

PARAGRAPH 1

OBJECTIVE

This Memorandum will provide a framework for cooperation and exchanges between the Participants in the field of defense on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

PARAGRAPH 2

SCOPE OF COOPERATION AND EXCHANGES

The Participants will conduct the following defense cooperation and exchanges under this Memorandum:

1. High-Level Exchanges:
   
   
   
   1. Bilateral meetings between their Defense Ministers;
      
      
   2. Bilateral meetings between their Vice Ministers; and
      
      
   3. Reciprocal visits between the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Commanders of the Philippine Army, Navy and Air Force and the Chiefs of Staff of Joint Staff and Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF);
      
   
   
2. Working-Level Exchanges:
   
   Regular dialogue between the Participants and AFP and JSDF;
   
   
3. Cooperation on Capacity-Building;
   
   
4. Training Activities and Exercises:
   
   Participation in training activities and exercises held by either Participant or held multi-nationally;
   
   
5. Service to Service Exchanges:
   
   Exchanges other than trainings and exercises as mutually decided;
   
   
6. Cooperation and exchanges in the area of Non-Traditional Security, especially in the following areas:
   
   
   
   1. UN Peacekeeping Operations;
      
      
   2. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief; and
      
      
   3. Maritime Security;
      
   
   
7. Education and Research Exchanges;
   
   
8. Information Exchanges on matters of mutual interests;
   
   
9. Cooperation on Defense Equipment and Technology;
   
   
10. Cooperation on Logistical Support;
    
    
11. Multilateral Cooperation in fora such as:
    
    
    
    1. ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus); and
       
       
    2. ASEAN Regional Forum; and
       
    
    
12. Any other activities as may be mutually decided.
    

IMPLEMENTATION AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT

1. As necessary, the Participants may decide to have implementing arrangements for specific defense cooperation and exchanges.
   
   
2. All measures of cooperation and exchanges mentioned in this Memorandum are subject to the laws and regulations and within financial considerations of each Participant. Each Participant will bear its own expenses arising from conduct of this Memorandum unless otherwise mutually decided by the Participants.
   

INFORMATION SECURITY

The Participants will ensure that any information acquired in the process of their defense cooperation and exchanges is treated appropriately and will not be released to third parties without prior consent of the originating Participant, subject to the relevant laws and regulations of the respective countries and by fully taking into account the requests from the originating Participant.

PARAGRAPH 5

CONSULTATION

The Participants will immediately consult with each other to resolve any differences in the interpretation of this Memorandum or in the implementing arrangements under this Memorandum.

PARAGRAPH 6

NON-BINDING EFFECT

This Memorandum does not give rise to legally binding rights or obligations under international law, and the cooperation and exchanges under this Memorandum will be conducted subject to the laws and regulations of the Participants.

PARAGRAPH 7

COMMENCEMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION

1. This Memorandum will commence on the date of signature.
   
   
2. This Memorandum may be modified upon mutual written consent by the Participants.
   
   
3. This Memorandum will continue until either Participant notifies the other Participant in writing of its intention to suspend or end this Memorandum, at least ninety (90) days prior.
   
   
4. The termination of this Memorandum will not affect the implementation of any existing activities of projects, unless both Participants mutually decide otherwise.
   

Signed in duplicate at Tokyo, on January 29, 2015, in the English and Japanese languages, both texts being equally valid. In case of divergence in the interpretation of this Memorandum, the English text will prevail.

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE OF	FOR THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF JAPAN
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
(SGD.)	(SGD.)
Secretary of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines Entry into Force: January 29, 2015	Minister of Defense of Japan